Penang Holiday

I've been to Penang numerous times for my training but it has been quite a while since I went to the beaches. The last time I went to the beaches was way before the tsunami.

So, for a short holiday trip with hubby, I suggested we go to Ferringhi. Finding a hotel was quite a challenge since it was a last minute arrangement considering the school holiday and end of the year holiday trips for many people. It was even reported in the newspaper that many tourists decided to come to Penang due to uncertain condition in our neighboring country up north.

I was quite surprise when we received online confirmation of our hotel booking. I almost didn't believe it but I'm very thankful. I hope I can do all the nice things I did during my holidays here before. Now I can share those memories with hubby :)


It was quite unfortunate the weather was cloudy so no nice sunset. Nevertheless, the view is still amazing.


Hubby and me :)


Look at what we saw on the rocks. There were about four of them playing around the rocks quite far from the beach so I couldn't take a better picture.


The mouth-watering deep fried ice-cream. Yummyyy... I first tasted it with my friend Ton last time. We like it so much. I SMSed her about having the ice-cream with hubby. She envied me :)


It's a looonnnggg way up. I didn't remember it was this long.


The view is worth it. The last time I came, it was quite hazy.


There are many biggg... spiders on big webs up on the Penang Hill. I didn't remember this either. So I had many new experience too.

I can't share everything I've done and eat with hubby due to the limited time so there will definitely be a next trip. Hubby has deep fried ice cream in his mind for a few days after. The same thing Ton and I experienced :) I've googled for the recipe but they're not convincing enough. Anyway, I'd give it a try one of these days. The worst thing that could happen is a melting ice cream in a hot oil.

Till next time... Salam Ma'al Hijrah

The First Time We Knew Each Other

Today, 3 years ago, hubby introduces himself to me. The scenario was friendly and quite normal. I thought he would be just a passing acquaintance. I mean, I've past the age of 30, I've met a lot of people at work, off work. How or why should I even think this would be different? There's no reason at all. Who would've thought we'd marry each other? The thought never ever crossed my mind at that time.

Till now, we still talked about the first time we knew each other. We're still kinda awed by the mysterious ways we're fated together. If you've been reading my blog, you probably have some idea of my opinion on men in general. Hubby's not spared from my vocal opinion about men. I know not all men are bad... and I didn't mean ALL but hubby kinda take it personally. He even distanced himself for a while. He probably thought why bother with this lady. Let her live in her own world.

Then, he kinda make it a mission to change my opinion. There were times we debated about some issues but most of the time, he just became a friend. A good friend. I really appreciate his friendship and the intellectually stimulating conversation. Three years down the road, here we are :)

May we always have this wonderful friendship and the intellectually stimulating conversation. I like the fact that we can have a comfortable silence enjoying each others presence. I also hope we will have great conversation right up and past our golden age. Luv u hubby.

Amazing Night

We're very lucky to be able to stay in a place where we have amazing night view from our balcony. It's almost like when your plane is landing and you're admiring the lights you saw outside the window, glittering like little stars on earth... not on the sky.

Tonight, as I finished loading our washing machine with clothes, I turned around to find another truly amazing view at the back of our condo unit. In between two tower blocks, I saw Genting lights as if it was a floating city on the night sky. I have stayed here for months and never saw this view before.


I wash clothes at night quite often but maybe at other times the sky wasn't as clear as tonight or I could be rushing that I didn't bother looking up and out. Such a pity isn't it. But tonight, I'm very lucky. This photo I took didn't do any justice to the amazing view I have but I can't wait to blog about it. Immediately after posting this entry, I'm going back to our drying area to admire the view. Good nite :)

Because of the Clothes

WARNING HAZARD! Mushy entry. May cause gagging :D

A staff who has attended one of my training few months ago saw me at the office yesterday. She's attending a different training. Here's a snippet of our conversation.

Staff1: Kak Sue, why are you soooo... slim?
Me : Huh! *feeling really, really surprise* No lah.
Staff1: Really! You look so thin. What happened?
Me : Can't be lah. The weighing scale don't lie.
Staff : *still having a disbelief look on her face* But you look so slim. Maybe because of this clothes you're wearing.
Me : Yeah maybe.

I smiled and rushed off to find the caterer because the food allocated for my class was not enough.

Later in the evening, excitedly relate the above incident to hubby while we're having dinner.

Hubby: Maybe something is wrong with her eyesight.

Me: *just look at hubby one kind*

Hubby: Sometimes, when people say something they actually mean the opposite.

Me: *give hubby the look* OK. I'm not going to tell you similar stories in the future.

Hubby: Don't be like that. Everyone needs a second opinion. A second opinion is good.

I make faces at him and he keeps on teasing me about it.

Much much later after midnight, I woke up due to some allergic reaction. I started sneazing and my nose was blocked, stuffed and I had to blow and it didn't help very much cause despite blocked, it still drips. Applying some balm didn't ease the congestion either.

So after tossing and turning and change place with hubby and change again hoping a different sleeping position would help, later I decided to just stuff a tissue paper at the problematic nostril. All the while, hubby can't sleep too with all my fussing around. Despite the disturbance and the tissue paper, before we finally dozed off somewhere around 3....

Hubby: I love you.

Me: *big smile* I know now you really love me since you say that despite the tissue paper in the nostril.

Hehehehe... That's a very sweet moment. Hubby can tease me all he wants about my 'slimness' as long as he continues loving me no matter what :)

I'm very much the professional at work today. All prim and proper minus allergy. But the warmth and sweetness of the early morning incident still envelopes and make me smile.

Luv u too hubby :)

Wanna gag??? Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Fresh update as I went to the pantry to get a hot drink while writing this entry. I haven't told hubby yet. Another comment made by my previous participant who attended a different training today.

Staff2: Sue, are you pregnant?

Me: No lah. Maybe just the clothes.

Sigh! OK no more baby doll blouses at work. Corporate look is a YES!

Mini Night Picnic

I'm at the airport now waiting for hubby & blogging via gmail mobile
from my handphone. I brought him homemade spaghetti, hot milo, tapioca
chips & fruits.

We're gonna have mini night picnic in the car on the way back :) As I
was packing the food, it kinda reminds me of mom who would always fuss
on us. Now it's my turn :)

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

9 Months

Nine months ago, my life changed forever. I'm still adapting to my new life. Hubby and I, we've gone through quite a lot of hurdles. Looking back, it really feels like so much has happened. We still have a long way to go but for now, I'm thankful we managed to overcome all the challenges the best way possible. Hubby's outstation again. Oh... he's online. Tataa... we're gonna chat :)

One More Day

One more day is the topic in Oprah today. If you have one more day, who would you want to spend it with and how would you spend it? Thank God I only watch it half-way. Otherwise, I'm afraid this 'Ratu Airmata' would start sobbing just as the rain stopped. My emotion has been quite fragile this past few days.

Anyway, back to the topic, I would want to spend it with my grandparents. Both passed away when I was still very young. I don't have the chance to really get to know them. I want to hear stories about my mother from them, I want to hear stories about their childhood from them. I'm sure they would have grand tales about their growing up hardship, the Japanese occupation, my grandfather's travel, and many others.

Everyone who have lost their loved ones interviewed in the show today wanted to spend their day doing ordinary every day things like having breakfast together, talking to each other and tending the garden. I've heard often enough for people to say, on your deathbed you'd want to be with your family and friends and not your boss or colleagues. Yet, how often have we put aside the ordinary little things because we're too busy with work.

I know it well when I was busy with too many trainings. I know very well too how doing simple ordinary things can be a luxury with hubby. Yeah... a LUXURY in caps. Like waking up in the morning and enjoying our breakfast without having to rush to work, cleaning house together, do our grocery shopping as if that's the only important thing we have to do for the day so no rush to it, window shopping, watch tv and dvd till we're bored and many other things. It's hard :( I know it would be difficult. But knowing and experiencing it is two different thing. Sigh!

Facebook style... * Sue is missing hubby!

The Verdict Is Out... It Is Called Grey Area

Frontpage news in our local newspapers...

Fatwa Council deems ancient form of exercise from India 'haram' - The Star

Yoga Ban: Don't question fatwa, says Council - NST

Majlis Fatwa haram yoga - Berita Harian

Yoga diharamkan - Utusan Malaysia

How misleading it was. Is this called responsible reporting? If people did not read the full content, they would not see the IF CLAUSE in the fatwa.

PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa Council has declared that yoga is haram (prohibited) in Islam and Muslims are banned from practising it.

Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said yoga had been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporated physical movements, religious elements together with chants and worshipping, with the aim of "being one with God".

"Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga.
The council is declaring that practising yoga, when it comes together with the three elements, is haram," he told a press conference here yesterday.

He noted that while merely doing the physical movements of yoga without the worshipping and chanting might not be against religious beliefs, Muslims should avoid practising it altogether as "doing one part of yoga would lead to another"”.

Muslims, he said, were discouraged from practising yoga even as a form of exercise as it would ultimately lead to worshipping and chanting, which is against Islam.

So, it is OK to do the physical movements BUT... and I don't like this statement "doing one part of yoga would lead to another". How do they know? Isn't that pure assumption? There are Muslims who have been practising it for years without succumbing to the temptation of worshipping and chanting.

As for the comments about Singapore and Egypt, read here for another view.

Anyway, what's the point of ranting about it anymore. As for me, Allah and I know what's my 'nawaitu'. I will decide what's best for me and despite the verdict, it is still a grey area with an IF CLAUSE. So why worry No?

Crying Can Make You Healthier

We all know a good cry helps to soothe our minds. Now doctors are discovering that tears may help to heal our bodies, too. Roger Dobson reports

It makes nine out of 10 people feel better, reduces stress, and may help to keep the body healthy. It's also free, available to almost everyone, and has no known side effects, other than wet tissues, red eyes and runny makeup.

Extracted from 'How Crying Can Make You Healthier' reported in The Independent UK

That's good to know. I needed one today. Someone really tested my patience today and it has been going on for quite some time. She's bitchy. I told her so and she has been perfecting her bitching skills ever since. I shouldn't be surprise actually. Just say a lot of prayers and shed a few tears to release stress and hopefully everything will turned out fine?

I listened to an audio seminar to block off unwanted noise and were reminded of a few things. Among them:-

* We only have one life. How do we want to live it?
* Are we survivors or winners?

What's your answer? What's mine?

... .gone to think....

First Formal Education

We normally have lunch in the office. Sometimes we eat at our desk in-front of our PC or laptop and sometimes we have a luxury of gathering at our resource room chit-chatting and reading newspaper while or after having lunch. The topics of discussion can vary from work to economics to artist to politics and family. Recently a colleague told us the antiques of her six year old daughter. It was really funny and reminded me of my first formal education. What a huge gap it was as compared to what children nowadays have to go through at kindergarten and school.

How's your first formal education go? Do you still remember?

I had a really short stint in kindergarten. My mom decided not to continue sending me there because after some time (I don't know how long exactly), I only knew how to spell from A to F :) She said we spend more time playing than learning. Anyway, during my time, kindergarten was more of a luxury than a necessity.

I don't remember much about my time at the kindergarten. I remember we have singing sessions and in one of them I belted 'One Way Ticket' that must have sounded like Greek because I don't know English 'sepatah haram' back then. The only thing that makes sense must be the chorus that contains 'One way ticket to the ...' I still don't know the lyrics of that song until now :D Singing is never my strong point. Dancing will be more of my type hehehe...

I still remember I don't like the rice porridge provided during recess time. I told the teacher I'm not eating the porridge, it smelled like 'fart' hahahaha... I remember I have a favorite batik matching blouse and skirt that I always wore and I also remember abah dropping me off on his motorbike. Was it his Vespa? I can't remember whether he already uses his Vespa then or did he got it much later.

When I was in Standard One, I was quite clueless to the lessons taught in school. I remember we have exercise books with big squares where we have to write 1s for full page, and 2s on the next page, 3s and so on. Similarly with alphabets. I love the feel and smell of a new book, I always lose my pencil and ended up having to write with black color pencil. My exercise book was ugly with smudges from the color pencil.

I love to read or the thought of being able to read ever since I was young. I would look at our text book and read out loud based on the pictures on the book using my imagination. I haven't a clue what was written on them. Be it Malay or English book. I can finally read the Malay books by the second term I think because the spelling session with the vowels make sense to me so much so that I proudly pronounced 'Dutch Baby' as 'dootch babai' to my mom showing her I can already read :)

My father was a fan to Majalah Gila-Gila. He kept them all and what once a material for scribbling and doodling for my brother and I, became my best friend. I read them all and would get frustrated if I couldn't find the continuing series. I can't remember the name of the series I love to follow but the hero only have two front teeth. If I asked mom, she would say either my brother or I tore the pages of some of the magazines and maybe it was thrown away. I do remember Tan Tin Tun and Dan Din Don. I learned chess from Dan Din Don.

English was a mystery to me. There were no rules. I always got scolded by our 'Cikgu Teacher' during reading session. She always pinch the back of my hand for writing mistakes. Back then there's no Sesame Street or Barney to help us with our English lesson. When I first heard English on TV I asked mom why watch Chinese movie. Suddenly one day, as if I got a revelation, I can smoothly read a paragraph in class. I was elated when Cikgu Teacher praised me. I even have few extra friends who must have thought this girl is so 'pandai' can read English already so better be friend with her.

From then on, I started reading all the English books out loud at home, whether I understood the meaning or not. I may have mispronounced some words but I love the fact that I can already read. I remember 1 pink and 1 yellow book about a girl living in Toa Payoh and I love reading the two books. After that I became a voracious reader. Anything that has something written on it, will be read. I have to thank Cikgu Teacher Jaswant Singh for that. For some reason, I remembered her name tonight. She has long straight hair and she wore glasses. I can't recall her face though.

Nowadays children already have to learn big numbers of summation and subtraction and know how to read at kindergarten. My colleague's daughter already feel pressured to pass her kindergarten exam. Children have to grow up faster now. I pity them.

Our Open House

It's a hot night tonight. It has not rained for the past few days and while this could be a blessing to those who lived in flood prone area and even I never like a gloomy rainy day but after a few days of heat, I'd welcome some rain.

It feels like I have been working the whole day today. It's for a personal project and I'm still torn between two options. Probably writing or ranting would clear up my mind for a while.

Around this time last week, I was cleaning the house and slaving in the kitchen for our open house. Hubby wants to cater some of the food but after careful consideration, I figured I can handle all the cooking. I can still smile when I remembered hubby's response when I told him I'll be cooking. "Biar betul!" in such a disbelief tone hehehe...

I rarely cook since we're married. Normally we'll finish work quite late and by the time we reached home, both would be famished. The thought of waiting for another hour or so till the food got cooked was just unbearable. So eating-out it is. But, I also know my cooking is acceptable. No one has been poisoned so far. I know I have never cook at a large scale before but there's always the first time right? And normally my first attempt worked.

It's risky no doubt inviting people to your house and there's a risk of not enough food to serve but I'm adamant to give it a try. There's food backup just in case. Then hubby thought my food backup was still not enough so he bought more backup for my food backup hehehe... The fried chicken, chicken fingers and nugget were a hit so thank God for hubby's extra backup. My second boss went into the kitchen wanting to know how we marinated the chicken. We also cook fried mee as an addition in the late afternoon. We have other plans for the mee actually but I thought that would be too much. Thank God I hired a very competent helper to help in the kitchen. Otherwise, I'll have no time to mingle with the guest at all.

I envisioned myself looking perfectly made-up in my stunning kebaya greeting and entertaining our guest during our first open house together. All the food would also be ready by the time our first guest arrive.

Reality check: I still wore the blouse and pants worn while cooking in the morning and the main dish was still not ready when our first guest arrived. Yikesss!! Lucky they're family so everyone got into the kitchen to help. Anyway everything turned out quite well. The rice was a bit soft and the jelly should be sweeter but other than that, the food were OK. Some of my friends praised lavishly after being well-fed so I'm one very satisfied cook even though I don't have enough time to 'meng-anggunkan diri' :D

I cook a lot of things for the first time last week and I just googled most of the recipes too. Everything has to be cook at a large scale. My only limitation was we don't have that many big pots and pans. I bought some for the occasion but still there were not enough large containers to mix and store things. Next time, I'll know what to borrow from relatives :) Last week was a really tiring but enjoyable week.

I learn many things.

1. I need a bigger frying pan
2. I need a lot more big containers
3. Ketupat and lemang were not people's favorite after going to so many open houses
4. Because of item 3., 2kgs of meat would be enough for the rendang
5. 2kgs of Basmathi rice was more than enough. Maybe next time I should just cook 1 to 1.5 kgs.
6. 2 packs of minced meat were enough for the spaghetti sauce
7. 500gms of spaghetti would be enough. Buy another smaller pack just in case
8. About 3 kgs of chicken would be required for the fried chicken
9. We used 2 packets of chicken fingers and 2 packets of nuggets
10. I need another bottle of chilli sauce. The tomato sauce was not a favorite at all
11. The mee packet bought at Tesco and Fajar wasn't good. If I'm not mistaken the brand was Mi Ku or something like that.
12. We need lots of rugs and towels in the kitchen. It gets messy and wet easily during all the chaos
13. I need the container where people put water to wash hands
14. We need a bigger mat
15. There are few other things we need but the most important thing, cooperation and lots of love :)

Many little things and a smile from hubby from across the room meant a lot during those busy moments. Not to mention the foot massage afterward :D Heavenly.

News of the day: Fatwa on Yoga... Let's do Kejora Instead

I'm sure many Muslims who has been practicing yoga waited for the official fatwa in abated breathe while the Muftis get a crash course on yoga before they make any decision. I have attended several yoga classes led by several Chinese instructors and apart from 1-2 who said their ohms after the class, there's nothing during the exercise session that suggested the presence of Hinduism elements.

While it would be nice if the Fatwa said 'Yoga is not Haram', it wouldn't bother me much if they say it is. I will probably have a tough time explaining to other Muslims why I still continue attending my yoga classes (when I got the time to go actually). But haven't the same fatwa council said smoking is Haram and yet we see Muslim men, and women included, smoking away like chimneys endangering not just their health but their loved ones from the second hand smoke.

If some people insisted Yoga originates from Hinduism, why don't we change the name to reflect a modern Yoga that focuses on health and not religion. Probably we can use Kejora instead since Jalan Alor got to keep its name :) Then I can say I'm going to my Kejora class hehehehe...

Another Love Of My Life

This is another love of my life :) He is so adorable. How can I not love him... he is so sincere, so nonjudgmental and he gives back as much love as he receives. No questions asked, no filters and no layers of pretense whatsoever.

Adik, Mak Sue misses you very much!

The One

The One.

It's a romantic comedy shown on TV tonight. It was heart wrenching watching Michael Blake struggles with his feelings towards Gail throughout the movie. Bill, Michael's best friend, has a phrase for what Michael's going through... proximity without intimacy. It must have been torturous for him to keep his feelings like that. My heart goes out to him whenever he makes a blunder. I have the tip of my tongue at the back of my front teeth, willing Michael to make the declaration of his feelings towards Gail.

Gordie, Gail's fiance, is a nice guy with a temper and self-centeredness that may exist in each and everyone of us. How well do you know your other half? That is the question that brings a sweet ending to the movie.

How well do I know hubby? We're still discovering each other's quirks and fancies. How do I KNOW he's the one? That's a little bit more complicated to explain but in a gist, he stood up through flying daggers and zingers to discover the other side of me. Before I met hubby, I was always skeptical when people say you'll find someone and you'll know he's the one. I was like.... yeah right! then how come so many marriages ended up in divorce when they have accepted the other half as 'the one' or else they wouldn't get married to each other. Right??!! May our marriage has Allahs's blessings as long as we live and if you're still looking, you probably wouldn't believe me either but you'll know if he or she is 'the one' :)

Whenever you stare at him while he's asleep or when he's not looking, you're just glad he has become part of your life and you'll go through life's journey together. Yikes... I'm going so mushy tonight. Must have been because of the warm and fuzzy feeling I got from watching the movie :D

Of Being in Control... and Not

One of the thing I dislike so much is of judgmental people and those who backbites. I'm not perfect. I'm human too... thus I may be guilty of the same mistake but I'll not do it consciously. I've always subscribed to this saying, "Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you." But then, how can you make people realize that? How can you make people believe in the same principle as yours? I'd say I may have better luck watching the grass grow than change people.

Below is an article that is said to be the 90/10 Rules by Stephen Covey. I have read this passage before but I can't recall from which book. Anyway, it is the message that is important. I should practice it more often especially while driving :)

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? ... Because of how you reacted in the morning.

Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D". You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why? Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

It still hurts when you found out how judgmental some people can be or of what people has been saying behind your back BUT... those are the things that you do not have any control of. As for the things I CAN control, I'm glad I have my conscience clear. And as for the things I CAN control, I'm about to make a dramatic change in my career. It's scary and exciting at the same time. Isn't it great? That we have a choice :)

Selamat Hari Raya 1429 Hijrah

I still remember how it was during Hari Raya last year. That was the most challenging Raya for me. So many things has happened since then. This is my first Raya as a wife. Alhamdulillah, it went very well :) We celebrated at hubby's kampung. I was part of the ketupat crew and got the 'tender' for beef and chicken. I was wearing my wrist watch when we clean and wash the chicken. I'm sure the CSI team can still find a lot of chicken DNA on the band of my wrist watch :D

I have a small family. Hubby's big. All the food is cooked at a large scale. Almost like a 'kenduri' scale. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was tiring but everyone seemed to be in the festive mood and enjoyed the gathering. The children were running all over the place and it can be quite overwhelming for someone who normally have her peace and quiet but it was fun getting to know my little nephews and nieces. They are cute. Cute nieces and nephews means I have to prepare more Angpow this year :)

We also have a special invitation to an open house hosted by Puteri Gunung Ledang hehehe... This is the time for us to relax and unwind.


The waterfall


This is us :) You can also find Duyung Ledang Muslimah if you were at the open house but hubby said his hands were too wet to take her photo.


The other guests...


The path




On something not so nice, I discovered the ugly side of human nature. Rubbish were thrown all over the place all the way to the waterfall despite the many rubbish bins provided. Sigh! I have some pictures but decided not to waste my bandwidth by posting them. I take it upon myself to collect and throw rubbish found along my way. Hubby has to help in which he asked since when does he become the member of Malaysian Nature Society hehehe... I told him I already subscribed to the family membership so he automatically becomes a member :)

There's another thing. It's like getting a jolt with a bucket of icy water. I can only do so much, say so much, hope so much... the rest is up to Allah. It's my fault. I have always respected other people's privacy. I expect other people to respect mine too. But this time I break my own rules... to receive a painful lesson. I'm not going to make it a habit. I've learnt my lesson. No matter what other people say or do, I'd like to say I have my conscience clear. I prayed everyone will have a blessed Syawal.

Eid Mubarak... Kullu ‘aamin wa antum bikhairin... Minal ‘aaidil wal faaizin.

Fight for Survivorship

When it matters, we have to fight for what's right, what's ours and what's fair. We have to do it irregardless of the consequences. Because you see, sometimes no one will do it for us. No one will think of our well being. There's an instinct in each and everyone of us to fight for their survival... which may include their small nucleus family or the whole clan of their relatives. But, if you're an outsider or perceived as an outsider, the first thing they'll do is to cut you out. Isn't that what we learn from all those reality shows?

Sometimes we keep our silence to assess the situation. Sometimes we keep our silence to not stir the water. But sometimes the water has got to be stirred or we wouldn't know what would surface from underneath. It could be a treasure, it could be danger.

Hey that rhymes! :) Why am I being so philosophical tonight? Maybe because hubby is not around and the night seem so quiet and empty. Sigh!

Of Being Single vs Married And A Tiring Weekend

Hubby has to work last weekend. He complaints about being tired having to work on weekend and this week he's so busy there's no way for him to take replacement leave. I told him I'm tired too... there are a lot of things to do at home over the weekend. I bought a dish rack because the one we have is too small. I broke a bowl and a jug already. So I rearrange all the plates and containers and pots and pans from all our kitchen cabinet and on the new rack..
 
Since I went for Raya shopping on Saturday and dish rack hunting on Sunday, there's not much weekend left. I managed to wash all our laundry except for the old curtain which always has to wait in one of the laundry basket and then I'll have more laundry to do so I have to prioritize and let the curtain keep on waiting. At least our laundry basket of work and day clothes is totally empty. If I have  more time, I wanted to arrange our books and files but I don't have any energy left. So some books and files are still in the boxes. I also want to mop the floor and rearrange my wardrobe but I'm not a superwoman. All that has to wait for my next cleaning session. Sigh!

If I'm single, I'd be contented for successfully doing all the laundry and having the plates and pots and pants more organized in the kitchen. One weekend I'll do this and another weekend clean up something else so I won't be overwhelmed with house work. Despite staying alone, everything got dusty quite fast. Unlike if you're staying in a kampung, there are no trees to stop the dust from flying into the house. There are a lot of laundry to do too.

I just wonder now that I'm married, would hubby notice the dust under his table instead of a more organized kitchen; would he wonder how come there are so many unfolded dry clothes and not notice the empty laundry basket; would he notice the books and files still in the boxes and not the new decorations on the dining table; would he notice the unswept floor and not the new flower decorations on the wall and aorund the house; would he notice the watermarked bathroom wall and floor and not the shining wash basin?

Hubby has never complaint so far but who knows what may go on in his mind.

Dear hubby, we are both tired. Just in different ways :) I do know how it feels when we have to work on weekend. Even if we can take replacement leave, it still didn't feel the same. There's a different atmosphere around us to let us know we're not supposed to work on weekend. I'd still choose being tired cleaning house over tired working on weekends :) We'll wait for Raya holiday to rest yer.

Who's da MAN? He's da MAN!

Zaid
Resigned because of principle... a rare gem in UMNO - he's da MAN
For criticizing Muhyiddin - in this case, NOT da MAN. But maybe... he's only suggesting Muhyiddin resign to show people do resign because of principles which are not in line with government's action.

Muhyiddin
For voicing out what's obvious - he's da MAN

Hishamuddin
Too late in voicing out his unhappiness over ISA - NOT da MAN.
Or maybe the reporter interviewed him too late is it? Hmmmm...

Ahmad Ismail
For his remark and refusal to apologize - definitely NOT da MAN

Syed Hamid
For all his contradicting statements - NOT da MAN.
Opppsss... will I be ISAed for this?

Koh Tsu Koon
For being so sweet about people tearing his picture - I can't decide whether he should be categorized as da MAN or NOT da MAN

Pak Lah
For hanging on a very very thin thread despite whatever's going on around him - NOT da MAN

Najib
I better not say. Don't want to get blown up.

Feel free to continue the list in the comment.

Thumbs Up for Mufti Perlis

Arrest first. Complaints later. That's what happen  to Teresa Kok. After she's arrested under ISA, more people came forward to make a police report against her. What is this???

 

The Mufti's comments below covered everything. So what are you waiting for? Release those held under ISA immediately!

 

Mufti Perlis: ISA tidak diperlukan untuk bela ajaran Islam
15-09-2008 01:01:12 PM (Oleh ZIEMAN)

PETALING JAYA: Mufti Perlis, Dr Asri Zainul Abidin hari ini menegur tindakan kerajaan menggunakan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) dalam isu agama dan mengheret pengendali laman web Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamarudin dan Ahli Parlimen DAP Seputeh, Teresa Kok yang masih ditahan di bawah peruntukan akta itu.

 

Ketika ditemui di Damansara Kim sebentar tadi, Dr Asri berkata, Islam dibina dari hujah dan dasar yang jelas, dan Islam juga tidak memerlukan ISA untuk membela ajarannya.

 

"Jadi tidak ada alasan untuk menahan orang dengan tidak memberi peluang membela diri. Ini adalah satu tindakan yang salah. Sekiranya orang itu mempunyai kesalahan dari segi hukum agama, buktikan dari segi dalil-dalil agama.

 

"Cara kita tangkap orang guna ISA atas kesalahan agama tidak akan menghilangkan salahfaham terhadap Islam. Seharusnya diperjelaskan dulu apa kesalahan itu. Kalau misalnya orang itu menghina Islam atau menyeleweng, buktikan dulu berdasarkan Quran dan hadis.

 

"Perlu diperdengarkan pertuduhan itu kepada orang yang dituduh itu. Mungkin juga, ia hanya satu salah faham. Yang penting perdengarkan dulu hujahnya," kata Mufti yang terkenal dengan kelantangannya mengeluarkan idea yang berani dan telus itu.

 

Kata Dr Asri lagi, "Islam bukan agama yang bacul. Perbuatan ISA kerana kesalahan agama seolah-olah menggambarkan orang Islam tidak mampu berhujah, terus tangkap orang. Mereka akan kata mereka benar kerana kita takut berhujah dengan dia."

 

Beliau juga turut mengingatkan betapa bahayanya tindakan ISA.

 

"Sekiranya ada aliran-aliran tertentu dalam kerajaan yang tidak setuju dengan pendapat satu aliran yang lain, adakah ruang ISA juga akan digunakan? Pernah berlaku dalam kerajaan Abbasiyah yang berpegang pada aliran Muktazilah ketika itu. Dia menghukum orang daripada aliran lain termasuk Imam-imam besar seperti Imam Ahmad juga turut dihukum.

 

"Kalau di zaman ini, mereka yang kendalikan agama itu dari aliran lain maka mereka yang dari aliran lain itu akan dihukum tanpa memberi peluang membela diri. Ini juga tidak sejajar dengan konsep keadilan dalam Islam," kata Dr Asri lagi.

 

Dari segi politik Islam atau siasah, kata beliau, kerajaan berhak menahan orang dan  beri tempoh siasatan (14 hingga 30 hari) bergantung pada keperluan. Tapi kita tidak boleh hukum 2 tahun tanpa diadili. Ini zalim.

 

"Tuhan yang Maha Adil pun buat mahkamah di akhirat untuk setiap orang dibicarakan. Keadilan ditegakkan di dunia dan di akhirat. Tuhan yang Maha Adilpun memberi peluang untuk kita jawab kesalahan sedangkan Tuhan berhak buat apa saja. Jadi macam mana kita boleh tangkap orang tanpa memberi peluang mereka membela diri?," jelas beliau.

 

Kata Dr Asri, isu agama turut membabitkan sensitiviti agama lain. Tapi dari segi mempersoalkan identiti Islam seperti laungan azan, itu tidak boleh.

 

"Namun jika ada sungutan tentang bacaan-bacaan yang panjang sehingga menganggu orang awam, ulamak Islam juga tidak benarkan. Bacaan yang kuat tanpa keperluan atau kuliah agama dengan menggunakan pembesar suara sehingga menganggu ketenteraman awam, itu tidak perlu. Itu sudah diputuskan oleh ulamak-ulamak dari dulu lagi.

 

"Agama itu terhad. Azan itu azan. Begitu juga kuliah agama untuk diperdengarkan di pembesar suara, berpada untuk sidang yang mendengar sahaja," jelasnya.

 

Dr Asri juga menyentuh tentang peranan Jakim.

 

"Jakim berperanan menjelaskan isu-isu agama dan juga yang menyeleweng dari agama. Bukan sekadar menyokong seseorang dihadapkan tanpa bicara. Badan itu juga hendaklah bebas dari percaturan politik. Perjelaskan ketentuan peruntukan orang yang menghina Islam seperti isu Raja Petra. Itu bersifat politik, biarlah diuruskan oleh orang politik.

 

"Kalau hendak diikutkan yang menghina Islam, ramai lagi yang patut dibuat aduan. Jelaskan dulu apa yang perlu dilakukan?," soal Dr Asri.

 

Beliau juga meminta kerajaan memikirkan soal ISA ini sedalam-dalamnya.

 

"Seandainya satu hari nanti kerajaan bertukar rupa dan kalau berlaku pertukaran kuasa. Terlalu ramai nanti yang tidak boleh bersuara dan ISA mungkin diguna seluas-luasnya. Besok, bila kena pada kita, apa kita nak buat?," kata Dr Asri yang akan menghadiri Tazkirah Tarawih di Stadium Kota Bharu pada hari ini.

 

Beliau yang juga akan memberi ceramah di Kompleks Islam Lundang esok, sempena pelancaran Tabung Serambi Mekah yang akan dirasmikan oleh Menteri Besar Kelantan, juga mempersoalkan bagaimana pemimpin yang gagal kendalikan parti yang kecil mampu kendalikan negara yang besar.

 

"Takkan nak tunggu ada rusuhan atau kekacauan. Ketika itu sudah tidak boleh dipulihkan lagi. Sekali kekacauan tercetus, susah untuk dipulihkan.

 

Menurut pengamatan beliau, keadaan ini berlaku kerana pemimpin politik menganggap kedudukan politik itu seperti harta rompakan.

 

"Mereka bermati-matian untuk mendapatkannya sekalipun terpaksa menggunakan belanja yang besar kerana pulangan atau keuntungannya juga besar," kata beliau.

 

Jelas beliau, saluran politik digunakan untuk membina kekayaan diri. Inilah hasilnya bila kerakusan ini berlarutan. Tidak ada setiakawan dalam politik, musuh memusuhi, berpuak-puak kerana fikirkan survival politik masing-masing bukan survival rakyat yang dipertanggungjawabkan.

 

Yang paling ketara sekarang, pemimpin politik bukan sahaja gagal membawa rakyat keluar dari kemelut yang sedang dihadapi malah menjadikan keadaan lebih rumit.

 

"Bukan sahaja mereka gagal menyelesaikan masalah tapi mereka pula yang menimbulkan lebih banyak masalah lain," kata Dr Asri.
 

http://mstar.com.my/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_64137214-c0a85062-158d9550-7b1c6ecd

Isyy... isyy... isyy...

My respond after watching the first few minutes of prime time news...

Because she's in danger????

Can't the police take her under protective custody? No need ISA right!

Because he's a party member and the party has punished him????

Isyy... isyy... isyy... He didn't just speak within the party right? He speaks for the whole world to hear. Isyy... isyy... isyy...

Because of This...

I saw it at Princess Maju Junction on Friday. It comes in cream and pink. I want the cream... but they don't have a smaller size. I have been looking for a pair of simple and comfortable shoe for quite some time. Despite the many choices available at many shopping complexes, nothing really tug at my heart the way this one did. I simply MUST have it. My almost flat comfortable shoe that I have now is a gift from a colleague during gift-exchange session at our office. It's a Carlo Rino and I've tried looking for something similar at Carlo Rino outlet, nothing appeals to me as the one I have. In fact I probably wouldn't buy it myself. But after wearing it, it kinda grow on me. If I need to do a lot of walking, no question about which shoe I would wear.

So because of the shoes I saw at Princess Maju Junction, I braved the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman crowd to look for it. It gives me the opportunity to look for Raya clothing too. If I have a choice, I would never come to Jalan TAR to shop. I hate crowded places. But then again, where can you do Raya shopping where you can find so many choice of things in one place. Well... almost like one place. I brought a big and empty paper bag to fill with all my purchases. It is easier to carry one bag then a lot of plastic bags. I feel like patting my back for being such a genius hehehe... The paper bag has been vary useful. Except for the flowers, all my purchases can go in there. Opps... enough rambling. Back to the shoes...



This Princess looked quite like one of Scholl design isn't it? Scholl only have it in pink. I do buy Scholl shoes for office wear but not sandals and slippers. I just couldn't bring myself to pay over RM100 for sandals and slippers. So this one is just perfect. It is very comfortable and looked quite nice. I can even match it with my new handbag :D The handbag is also one of my love at first sight purchase. I do not want to walk around too much at Sogo. It is so packed with people. But because I need a handbag... I decided to make just one round at the ground floor before going out to Jalan TAR. The moment I saw it, I knew this is the one. No need to browse some more. Just grab and pay before the queue gets too long. The handbag can even match one of the shoes I bought for my wedding reception. So practical isn't it :) Anyway, enough of self praise from a very satisfied shopper yey! \o/

What Nonsense Is This????

I very rarely blog about politics. I've steered away from kampung politics, office politics and Malaysian politics... I do vote though. All I want is to live in a peaceful country. I acknowledge politics is necessary to achieve that but I'll let people who are passionate about politics do their thing. I normally tried to be neutral. If BN did something stupid, I'll say they are stupid and vice versa with the Opposition. If I couldn't take repeated political craps shown on prime time news, I'd just not watch the news for a few days. That way I can watch Oprah and get motivated, enlightened and have a feel-good feeling after the show. Way much better than watching prime time news and political craps.

After the March 2008 election, things seem to get from bad to worse. The arrest of RPK, Teresa Kok and the journalist is downright nonsense. I thought Journalists have some code of conduct they have to follow and governments have to respect the right of journalist to report. Journalists are even safe in the war zone. How come they are not safe in Malaysia? I can see it coming for RPK since the government can't silence him despite blocking access to his blog and he is not a journalist like the newspaper journalist. But what about Teresa Kok? Why isn't that Ahmad held under ISA? Why is the rule different for UMNO members than the rest of the world?

With all this nonsense going on, I'm declaring myself the supporter of the Opposition, the supporter of 916, the supporter of enough nonsense, the supporter of enough corruption and the supporter of a more united Malaysian!

Must Be Because of the 'Baju'

I walked to hubby's parking place today to avoid the traffic. It was a pleasant walk in the nice weather except my laptop bag did feel heavier and heavier. I saw hubby in the car at a junction across the road when I reach the junction on my side of the road. I cross the road carefully and as I reached the other side, I noticed one guy who were looking and smiling at me as he walked along the road. When we got near to each other he said something that sounds like, "Ada .... kosong ker?" I immediately reach hubby's car and get inside. Who knows if he's sane, on drugs and what not. That guy quickly walked away. I told hubby about what the guy said but I couldn't really figure out what he wanted to say. Hubby has been observing him and thought I knew him because he's been smiling ever since he noticed me from far. I told hubby I won't rush to get into the car if I knew him. Then hubby said maybe what he meant was "Ada kosong ker?" as in "am I still available?". I was dumbfounded for a while before I pinched hubby. That phrase did make sense. How come hubby knew of such phrase? He has use it before is it? Anyway, after a short pinching session... he pinched me back because I have an admirer (not exactly my fault right), we just laugh it off.

When we reached home as we get out from the elevator...

Hubby: This baju kurung makes you look fat
Me: Is it? It's OK. I still have an admirer hahaha...
*kena pinch some more*

After break fast...

Me: Did this baju really make me look fat?
Hubby: No lah.

Then hubby continues...

Hubby: Just now when you're selecting food, one of the guy at the shop keep staring at you too. It must be the baju.
Me: Hahaha... really? I only concentrated on the food and quite oblivious to my surroundings. Then I must wear this baju more often hehehe...

*kena pinch again*

No wonder hubby said the baju makes me look fat. He always complimented me when I wear baju kurung simply because I rarely wore them and he wish I would wear them more often. So I was actually quite surprised when he said the baju makes me look fat. I almost believed him too because I thought it must be that bad since normally he would give some compliments.

Nampaknyer abang, kena pakai baju ni selalu ni hehehe...

No Networking Time

I have several invitation from friends to join Friendster, hi5, Plaxo, Buddy TV and what not. I have to apologize though because I just haven't got the time to do it. I'm on Facebook by a friend's strong insistence. It was quite fun sending things to friends for a while but I haven't written much on Walls or commented on anything. I just find it too time consuming. Some friends prefer to send messages via Facebook. It can take days or weeks before I reply. If you want fast reply, pls email me at my Gmail.

While computer can make things work faster, I'm of the opinion that depending on what you do, it can also be very time consuming and rob your valuable time without you realizing it. Just imagine the time wasted in a day if you add up all the seconds waiting for a page to load and the time you have to refresh your browser when your browsing for fun or doing serious work. It can be quite frustrating and I'm not using a laptop from some dinosaurs age.

So unless it is important or I really have nothing better to do, I try to stay off browsing. A lot more things got to be done with less time infront of the PC. Gives me more time to blog too :)

The Chronicle of 8th Ramadhan

Today, the 8th day of Ramadhan, is the toughest fasting day yet this year. I'm feeling soooo... sleepy I can fall asleep standing. Sleeping late and waking up early is normal during this fasting month but somehow today even if I put something to prevent my eyelids from shutting, it would fail.

I just came back from the wash room so that I can walk around for a while. Normally, all of us in the office just hate going to the washroom because it is so far. I washed my face too to freshen up and wrote this hoping it would keep my eyes open as it forced me to think of what to write, the coherence of my sentences and so on.

I have outstation weekend training ending yesterday so no weekend for me. Hubby also have to go outstation over the weekend. I drove, he took flight so I have to fetch him at the airport. We reached home past midnight last night. I wish I can just put my luggage away, fall face down on the bed and zzzzZZzzz till sahur time but I decided to put some things away, clean up, change clothes, catching up with hubby before going to sleep. By then, it's the wee hours of morning already.

I didn't sleep after sahur fearing I'd feel tired and sleepy the whole day. But it didn't help much. After a while in the car, I can feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier. Hubby tried few things to wake me up but it didn't really work hehehe... Only when I discover I left my laptop in his car did I woke up for a while. He make a u-turn to send the laptop over and I managed to do some work until 11:40 before I willed the clock on the wall to tick quickly to 12:00 noon so I can take a nap. Our lunch time is 12-1 or 1-2. Even after the nap, I still dozed off few times. I definitely have to do something about it and decided to go to the washroom.

Much good it did because even after feeling a bit more refreshed, I'm still not very productive. Thank you for reading quite a number of paragraphs explaining how sleepy I felt today. Blogging is not considered a productive work when you're working, so is reading them hehehe... I think I felt more awake now so hopefully I can start being productive again. Happy Fasting!

On Current Events

On Permatang Pauh
 
I know this is stale news but I do have an opinion about it. The landslide victory won by DSAI could mean either of the following:-
 
- People do not trust the government's allegation at all despite all the effort to undermine DSAI's credibility. The media propaganda just leave a bad taste in people's mouth. Also means people accepted DSAI's claim of government conspiracy.
- People do not care whose backside got hurt as long as there is a chance their plight might be attended too. There are a lot of issues faced by the people and all BN's effort to win the people's vote is focused on someone's a**. What's the government's plan on the food prices, petrol price, cost of living, development, economy, etc.?

On Merdeka

The celebration was not very noticeable this year. The only reminder Merdeka's coming was when I got stuck in the morning traffic due to the rehearsal. Not that many buildings put up the Jalur Gemilang. For that matter, not that many cars either. Well... what do you expect when there's no free flag and the prices of everything going up. While it is nice to see Jalur Gemilang all over the place, I'm not into showing your patriotism through flags while you still throw rubbish on the road, drive like a maniac and doing all sorts of unpatriotic behavior. Anyway, Happy 51st Merdeka to all Malaysians.

On Moon Sighting for Ramadhan

There's no more thrill in anticipating the first day of Ramadhan. Whatever's written on the calendar, that's your 1st Ramadhan. While it makes things easier for TV channels to plan their programs, it sure takes away the thrill of waiting for the Ramadhan announcement. I'm sure many can still remember the time the whole family waited in front of the TV waiting for the announcement. Some would want the Ramadhan to start the next day, some would wish another day to eat to their hearts content before fasting begins. When I was little, I remember sometimes we waited until 10 p.m. for the announcement. The recent years, there will be announcement by 9 p.m. the latest. This year, I caught the announcement by chance. Not even waiting for it. It brought back memories of waiting for Ramadhan announcement in the past. Have a blessed Ramadhan to all Muslims.

Out Of Commission

I've been out of commission for about 3 weeks. First, I started feeling weak. Weak as in if I let it, I would just collapse like a heap of dirty laundry on the floor whether I was standing or sitting. I do have low blood pressure but it couldn't be this bad. I thought I may need some sugar so I ate. I only felt better for 15-20 minutes. If I continue eating for every 20 minutes just to keep my energy up I would be in trouble.

I visited the clinic and to the doctor's question of what's wrong with me, I answered "Nothing!" He laughed before I continued and tell him I felt weak. He took my blood pressure which just proof it was low. Checked if I had fever which I wasn't and proceed to prescribed multivitamin and advised me to take 100 plus on alternate days. Sigh! That didn't tell me what causes the low blood pressure.

The week after that, I finally had the fever. Not that I welcome the fever but at least I know why I felt so weak the previous week. I had the whole fever package. Sore throat, flu, cough. It started with dry cough because I have stuffed nose, I had to breathe through mouth which causes dryness of my throat. Then the cough turned to phlegm cough which was not good for my asthma at all. I had to cancel my outstation training, lucky for me somebody can take over.

It wasn't fun when I'm on MC but couldn't do anything because I wasn't up to anything at all. Eventhough that's the reason the doctor gave MC because I needed the rest and not supposed to do anything like clean house or shopping or blogging. So there goes my weekend too. Too weak to do anything. That was last weekend. On Monday I couldn't cancel training because nobody can take over my class. So it was really painful talking and coughing, it gave me chest pain. I wonder what goes through my participant's mind when I coughed so bad I had tears on my eyes and my face turned red.

I still have the occasional heavy cough every now and then... until now. But I felt so much better. Really, really better. God gave us some test like hardship and sickness to remind us to appreciate the easy times and our health. I felt like jumping up and down now that I felt better. I have the energy to do so many things now... the normal thing I couldn't do when I was sick. I got really worried I couldn't even take care of myself last week. Every little things becomes such a chore. This entry is a reminder to myself not to take my health for granted; to appreciate every second I can do the normal things because I'm healthy. I'm OK everybody :) I'm fine and feeling GREAT :)

Our First Holiday - Shahr il 'Asal

Here are some photos from our first 'real' holiday together. Or Shahr il 'Asal as my friend called it :) If you want to know the meaning, open up your Arabic dictionary. What I meant by real is we went not because of work. It's 100% holiday but of course hubby has to take 1-2 phone calls related to work.

Just the two of us :)
Dear hubby	Blue sky and sea
Hubby in the sea
White sandy beach	We have a long journey ahead of us
Nice view

After my SPM, a group of us went to PD for a 3 days 2 nights holiday under the supervision of one of my friend's parents. What do you expect from a group of girls? We really had fun. There were quite a number of couples at the beach at that time. Some of us would remark, "Oh that couple is so romantic... this couple is sooo.. romantic". And others would reply, "Alaaa... later when I have a boyfriend, I would walk at the beach just like that". That statement kinda stick to my head and I'd remember it whenever I'm at a beach. I'm glad that statement became a reality with dear hubby and snorkeling together kinda put the romantic scale at many many notch higher :)

The last time I had the chance to go snorkeling was at Perhentian. That was many years ago while I was still studying. This time I dare go further and deeper because hubby is around. I can't swim... yet :) The view was really amazing and breathtaking. I wish whatever my eyes saw can be captured in a video. Here's a video of colorful fishes at Taman Laut courtesy of a group of friends that shared boat with us.


I didn't know we can rent a camera for only RM50, complete with underwater casing. That is really a good deal considering underwater casing is as expensive as my camera and I might use it only once in a blue moon. This one is taken near the water surface. More photos below - all courtesy of the other group in the boat.


Hubby and I


Hubby and I


Our Boat


The colorful fishes


The beautiful coral


Fishes near some coral


A turtle at Turtle Cove


Watching the turtle is another amazing experience. The water is so blue and the sand so white. I'm just speechless.

My Wedding Reception

Alhamdulillah... after going through so many challenges, we managed to hold our wedding reception successfully. No words can express our gratitude to friends who helped make it work.

Just like everyone who wished for our happiness, I also hope we'll have love, happiness and strength to go through challenges life throw at us.



Although we've had our solemnization ceremony (nikah) few months back, this reception kinda make it really official with the attendance of friends, families and colleagues.

I didn't really understand it before but with my own wedding reception, I kinda realize how important everyone who attended the reception is, all the best wishes, every little gift, even a plain card.... all are very important and if only I can inform everyone how much I appreciate everything.

No wonder it is mentioned in a hadith about the obligation of attending wedding feast:-

Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, reported:
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When anyone of you is invited to a feast, he should attend it.
-Sahih Muslim: 2574-
One thing that I'll never forget during my wedding reception day, I couldn't contact my husband for few hours. You just can't imagine how worried I was at that time. Turned out he has to stop at a workshop due to some bearing problem and he left his handphone in the car. Despite trying very hard to remain calm and prepare everything to be brought to the mosque, I forgot hair cream for hubby and the nasyid/wedding song CD. Thank God he's wearing songkok so it's not so obvious he didn't wear any hair cream and the mosque has some nasyid song that we can play during the feast.

I was very happy with the way everything turned out. It was sweet and simple, definitely memorable. Many thanks again to all who came, all who gave their best wishes, all who sent gifts and all who helped.

Missed Birthday Posting

I didn't post anything on my birth day this year. Not even on my birth month. This post is actually backdated. I think this year's birthday is one of my busiest, not to mention very tiring. We moved house on the 21st. I have to make at least the bedroom livable by the next day. On the 23rd, we're off for a holiday. Upon returning from holiday, I have a dentist appointment to remove one of my wisdom tooth. And then I have to plan for my wedding reception.

Despite everything planned quite on a last minute, and despite the tight schedule, I'm very relief everything went according to plan and things started to fall into place. So I'm another year older, wiser hopefully, and has entered a new phase of my life. Chaiyyok!! \o/ :)

Posted on 08/08/08.

My Yoga Class

My yoga class has improved a lot. It turned out, only that one particular class, my first class, the instructor communicated in Chinese. Lucky me, after that whenever I attended the class, there are different yoga instructors who communicated both in Chinese and English and they were quite helpful. I'm really glad I took the class.

And I'd like to pat myself in the back for successfully attending the class for a month. It has been a month already. Can you believe it? Previously, I did attended some classes but due to the location, I managed to go very very infrequently. Just like in the movie "Nujum Pak Belalang", I would say "kadang-kadang" :)

During the yoga sessions, I saw everyone else was also like me. Inflexible and struggling to maintain some of the poses. Sometimes I felt the extra fat on my tummy didn't want to cooperate also. I can feel the hard fat whenever I have to do some bending or folding of my body. Can't wait for the time when my Michelin tyres become a 'botak' tyre. In this case, a 'botak' tyre is very, very much welcome hehehehe...

People say you can put on weight after getting married. Well... it is happening. Not that I joined the class primarily to loose weight. I just don't want to feel tired all the time, feeling sleepy almost right after dinner and not doing anything to live a healthier life. I felt good knowing I'm doing something healthy for my body.

I'm far from fit but it felt great after all that sweating and panting despite the pains and aches. I can breathe better, doesn't feel lethargic all the time, and felt recharged. I wish I can go for the classes more often but normally it will be a rush to get home, Solat and prepare dinner for two ravenous people :) Even if I managed to eat something during afternoon tea break, it wasn't enough to sustain myself until 8.30 pm. What more if our last meal before dinner was lunch.

I have to start doing yoga at home too to make up for the time when I can't attend the class but so far there are so many other things to do I'd just shelved the idea. I'm moving house again soon. Hopefully after all the mess is cleared, I can have a clearer mind and space to do it. Till then, I'll attend the class as often as I could.

Zombie Menara Batu

(title adapted from 'Zombie Kampung Pisang')

Lately I've been operating like a zombie at work. It has been very busy, I don't even have time to think. All I know when I reached office is either attending training or conducting training. Any days there's no training planned, will quickly be filled with ad-hoc programmes. Help!!!! Even yesterday and today I have to attend a training. I excused myself by lunch time today as I don't fell well.

Sickness is the only excuse to take some rest it seems. Even then, it didn't work all the time. When we have to conduct any training, we can only cancel if we're hospitalised. So far, no trainers has been hospitalised yet so I saw everyone continued with their training programmes come fever, flu, diarrhea, period pain and what not.

The evaluation ratings has not been compiled, the pre and post test has not been marked. The preparation for the supposedly special development programme is not yet done. Files and papers are piling up at my desk. When I can't stand the mess, I just shoved everything under my desk. Sigh! I can't wait to take leave.

Everyone at the office is working like mad. At least I have planned my leave well ahead and the office respected that plan enough not to ask me to cancel them. For that, I'm very grateful. Looking at our work load, I already thought to myself that if they're not thoughtful enough, I'll just tender my resignation.

I'm already working like mad. If all that effort is put for my own company, I'm sure I can survive too. Thankfully, it didn't have to come to that. The economic climate looks very uncertain now. I don't want to take any chances yet. There are still opportunities to learn and grow at work. I'll leave when I felt the job has become monotonous.

So for the time being I'll continue operating like Zombie Menara Batu. I still get to leave office latest by 7 p.m. What's the point of staying back when the work never seems to finish. I'd rather go back and have dinner with hubby or go to my yoga classes.

-Zombie Menara Batu signing off-

The Crystal Mosque

The most talked about mosque in Malaysia of late. We make a quick stop here on our way back to KL from KB.
Did I mention I was in JB for training the beginning of the week? Then hubby has to go to KB. I make last minute leave arrangement with office and off we go. Otherwise I won't meet hubby for what would've felt like two-weeks. Nowadays a lot of unplanned event can happen :)

The mosque looked quite amazing even though we can't help thinking what a waste it was. Well, since its there already, make full use of it or blue and white will turn to green and white next time :) Actually, I still can't comprehend why the color still hasn't change. That's another amazing thing besides the crystal mosque.

Back to our quick stop destination, if you're following the road sign, first you'll see 'Masjid Kristal' sign all over the place. Then... none. Whoever did the signboard assumes you'll know to follow the 'Taman Tamadun Islam' road signs afterwards. Stupid assumption... duh!

Our mind looks for consistency and pattern. If you want to inform, be consistent and follow the pattern. And another thing, in Malaysia most tourist attraction uses brown and white signboard. In KT, they are white and blue. Why change something just to be unique? The little detail can help instead of annoy. I think every state should promote Tourism Malaysia as one big brand name so they should follow some pattern and standards to be helpful. Deal?

Petrol Oh Petrol

Who on earth discover oil can make things move in the first place? If they didn't then probably people will find ways for things to move using water or something. Then we don't have to bother about oil prices becoming RM2.70 per litre and the domino effect that will be felt very soon. Sigh!

Now my 40 litre fuel capacity car will cost RM108 to fill its tank as compared to RM76.80 before. That's RM31.20 extra every time I refuel. Refuel five times in a month, I have to fork out an extra RM156. Phewww... Consider the prices of everything that will go up, I estimated I'll need RM300-RM400 extra per month if I maintain my current lifestyle.

Nowadays normally hubby dropped me off to work so we only use 1 car and save a bit on tol, parking and petrol. Probably both of us should now consider the LRT. It costs only RM2.40 one way and parking at the LRT is RM2 per day. That's only about RM130-RM150 per month. We got to do brisk walking from the LRT to office and get the much needed exercise. Hubby has to walk much further though.

It's OK in the morning but after work, when you're already tired with office work, the thought of walking and lugging your notebook around doesn't sound very attractive. Even more so when it rains. Hmmmm... how abang?

And of course no more eating out. A simple dinner would be half portion of rice (rice price has gone up too), boiled vegetable (healthier than fried), and steam or grilled fish, or chicken soup. I know you prefer asam pedas and curry but I have to prepare something fast and not so fussy after that tiring LRT ride :) OK yer!
*drumming-fingers-on-the-table-seriously-thinking-about-changing-my-lifestyle*

Allergic Reaction and Yoga

I had an allergic reaction to some medication last Friday. It made my plans go haywire. There's a lot of things to do since I have outstation training Mon-Tue. I'm supposed to be on my way already but here I am thumping on my keyboard for last minute update :)


The swelling appeared in a flash. Small swollen spots soon merge to become a big one.


90% swollen.
Everyone at the office dare not look at my eyes. I felt like I was only using one eye. My vision was very limited. Driving back I have to turn my head often to look at the road. Woman is said to have 180 degree vision. I think last Friday my vision was only half of that.

I went to see the doctor who gave me the medication that causes this reaction. I called her earlier and she said I can take 4 prednisolone that would almost equal 1 injection. But I went to see her nevertheless since the the reaction got worse. I took another 4 prednisolone at the clinic, together with a jab. Luckily I didn't collapse with that many pred cause under normal allergy situation, pred would make me very drowsy.

I was feeling quite OK when I reached home and decided to attend my first yoga class here. I registered myself last Wednesday and so gung ho to start my class I'm not going to let my swollen eyes come in the way. The class was not too big. The room was OK but the instructor gave instructions in Chinese. Duh! *slaps forehead*

I was the only Malay lady there but please use English too. Very sparingly she interspersed her instruction with inhale and exhale. 2-3 times she'll come near me to correct my posture with English but that's that. The whole session was in Chinese. Sigh! I was so excited to find a yoga place very near to my house at a very reasonable rate. It didn't even occur to me to ask what's their medium of instruction because everyone speaks English when I registered. I guess I have to finish this whole month yoga session (already paid) as if I'm watching Chinese or Korean drama without a subtitle. Very frustrating!

By the way, my eyes are better now. Still a little bit swollen like I've been crying too much. Should be OK by tomorrow I think.

OK I better finish my packing and go off for 4-5 hours driving :)

The Other Half

Why do people use this phrase 'the other half'? Aren't we complete before we meet our life partner? Do we become halved when we're married or in a relationship?

I certainly feel I'm complete and happy with my life before I met hubby. I truly believe I can conquer the world on my own.

Now after marriage, I experienced the 'effect-of-the-other-half' which makes me wonder if I could ever feel like before... more in control of my feelings.

It certainly is scary how someone can have such a control over our emotion and life. How sunny and rosy everything is when he's happy; how life suddenly looks bleak and grey when someone's 'merajuk' or mad; how much I want to fix things to make it better for him if he's sad; how I can't control my 'muncung' when something upsets me even if I practically don't want to pout over something silly.

I can feel it... the moment the 'muncung' started to appear. My cheek feels tight and even if I force myself to smile, the 'muncung' can't be hidden. Hubby mentioned about my 'muncung' few times but most of the time they were not because of him. Maybe I was worried or concerned about something and during those times I didn't even realize I was pouting. It's when I know I pout and can't un-pout myself that concerns me.

I'm a practical person. I do and say things because of its practicality. 'Muncung' is not practical because you did not effectively communicate what you really want to get the result you expected. The other party would keep guessing what's the problem and if you're unlucky, the 'muncung' would infect the other party and it would probably be even longer than yours :)

Lucky for me, or is it lucky for hubby, my 'muncung' appears very rarely by women's standard. That's metaphorically speaking. Of course I can't measure what's the women's standard of pouting to their other half but I do know between hubby and me, he's the top record holder of 'merajuk' and 'muncung'. Sayaannnnggg abang, senyum cikit :D

No he's not sulking or pouting now. If it's not over a really serious matter or misunderstanding, I even find it cute coz I have very few and far between experience of a 'merajuk' male. I can remember a long time ago when abah 'merajuk' with mom, not directly to me and not because of me... and my brothers, I don't think they ever do. If they're not happy with something, they just get mad.

If you Google the word 'merajuk' you'd discover many reference that said there's no exact English word equivalent to 'merajuk'. Funny isn't it. Sulk, upset, dismayed couldn't really capture the essence of the word. So maybe it's a behaviour unique to this part of the world. We've also heard the phrase "merajuk pada yang sayang"... something you can't really control and happens because you want the attention of your loved ones. The way you 'merajuk' to your family member and your other half is also different.

My verdict, I understand now why people use "the other half" phrase. Not only you do many things together (like a Siamese twin), your emotion is closely linked too. I can sense when something is not right for hubby even if he tried to act normal, he can sense when there's something on my mind, even without the 'muncung'. We just got married and I still got comments "berseri-seri pengantin baru" from colleagues, I wonder how much more attuned we would be to each other after 20-30 years of marriage :)

Note: This is my 500th post! Wow! Not many considering I blogged since 2003 but I still feel it is an accomplishment. 500 posts. Wowww.... :)

Frasers Hill Revisited

I went to Frasers Hill few weeks ago with hubby. He's there for training and meeting so I have the whole day to myself. Since I have a lot of time, with a pair of comfortable shoes, I walked all around the place. I completed one round of the main road in about two hours. It took me that long because I stopped many times to take photos or just sit somewhere under a shade and enjoy the view.




I love to hear the sound... very relaxing.












Hills as far as my eyes can see. Really lovely view.

Rev-E!-lation

You'd expect people to get some life revelation from watching Oprah show but I kinda get one from E! today.

Life is about

- taking chances... in life and in love
- dedication and focus... in your job
- taking risk...
- life is short, appreciate every moment
- follow your heart and do things you believe in

There's nothing new revealed there actually but to feel it hit me in the face... Yes!!! that's how life should be lived. Embraced it. Live life to the fullest.

It sounded very simple... but it is definitely easier said than done. Especially among Asians I think. We are taught to always respect the elders and of family loyalty. While those are good values, it can be limiting too.

We may think we should do something because it is expected of us... on the other hand, our loved ones would only want what's best for us. If we don't communicate with each other and only assume that is what the other party wants, both would go on with their life always thinking about the what ifs.

I've seen it many times. Experience it even. It felt silly if you managed to discover the truth... which didn't happen very often. That is why I feel like we have to follow what we think is the right thing to do instead of what we think we should do even if it may make me sound like an arrogant, self-centered person.

Sometimes I wish my friends and family would see this too. It is not my place to judge. I just want them to be happy. To do something that they feel is right and not what they feel they should do.


When I drive, sometimes I like to look at the view from the side mirror. It sometimes looked better than when I was passing it.


And of course, sometimes I'll just keep on driving because I see a clear blue sky right ahead in front of me.

The past... The future...

But I would also like to appreciate my present. To live in the moment. Now... is what I have. Now... is what we have.

Make our choices!

The Special Man

Given my opinion on some men... (just read some of my past blog entries), it would take a very special man to capture my heart. There were times when I was convinced no one ever would. There were times when I believed no man would dare mess with a very opinionated lady hehehe...

Then, he came into my life.

From just an acquaintance, he became a friend. We have a lot of things to talk about and I love the intellectual stimulation from our conversation. He's brave too... to take lasers and fires and zingers from me :) He must have very impenetrable armour.

I can't exactly pinpoint the exact time my feelings changed. Do I miss our conversation or do I miss him? It wouldn't matter which and it wouldn't matter much of what I felt if he didn't miss me too. But... he did.

Accepting him wasn't easy at first. There were many things that have got to be considered. The 'time-off' taken to really think things over... I just felt miserable without him. Finally, his sincerity and determination won me over. He's not perfect... but he's a very special man.

You all can now call me... Puan Sue :)

Sometimes I can't believe I'm a married woman. I've always referred to the married women as 'they'. We're from a different class, a different species, a different planet. 'They' talk about things that I wouldn't understand or didn't bother to like household gadgets and stuff. Now, I'm part of 'them'. I probably should pay more attention to what they have been talking about before.

Is there a handbook for the newly married lady about stuff they should know? Are there any FAQs anywhere about being a wife? Hmmm... I guess he just have to rough it out while I figure things out.

Recently when I went shopping with Ben, I looked at the normal type of blouses I normally like to wear and she said, "hey you should look for ibu-ibu (motherly) stuff now." Sheesh Cik Ben, I can be married and still look young, trendy and sexy you know. But... I think my hubby would agree with you on this one. Young, trendy and sexy look must cover butt and not too tight hehehe...

How does it feel to be married? A lot of adjustments have to be made. While I'm used to do things on my own, it feels nice to have someone to share everything with. Few days ago we slept early. I was still tired from my outstation trip and he's tired from staying up to finish work the previous nights. He has to wake up early to do some more work so I got up too. I wanted to sort out some documents but decided to wash the dishes first. That's when it happened.

The attack of the ratatouille!

Yikes! Aaaarrggghhh... Mickey mouse is cute, Jerry from the Tom & Jerry is cute, Ratatouille is endearing... but NOT this ratatouille. Aaaarrggghhh.... Where did it come from? How did it get in? It's BIG! And it has got nowhere to go. Hubby's on the sofa, I ran to the sofa too. After convincing him that he should be the one to open the sliding door, I watch in apprehension for any crazy move from the BIG rat. After some erratic movements, it went into hiding at the corner behind the sliding door curtain.

Hubby said now it's my turn to chase the rat out with a broom. I took a broom and said now it's his turn. So armed with a broom, he took the mission to chase the rat out from the house. I felt so proud watching my handsome knight in shining armour armed with a 'penyapu' completing his mission successfully :) Then, I closed the sliding door. See how well we work together? Hehehehe... I told you he's a very special man.

Abang, may we have many more successful missions together, may our love grow stronger each day, may we overcome all the challenges in life, and may we have happily ever after. I love you so much.

By the way, if you read this and are surprised how come you're not invited for the wedding, that's because we only have a small nikah ceremony and the kenduri will be held later. Just wait for the invitation and pray for our happiness. Thank you dear friends. I appreciate it so much.

Beautiful Rainbow

I've been lucky this past few days. I managed to witness several beautiful rainbows. Are there any rainbows that ain't beautiful? They are all pretty :)

There's one on my way back from work last week. There's one I can view from my computer training room also last week. And this morning, from my hotel room...

A Month Ago: Damai to Indah

Exactly a month ago, I moved place... from Damai to Indah.

From this....


To This....


After a month, of course things look much better now. But I'm still not done with unpacking. There are still 1 or 2 unopened boxes. I'll probably get to it... eventually hehehe...

The mover laughed when they looked at my things and asked "did you really asked for a 1 tonne lorry? by the look of this, we'll need a 3 tonne lorry instead."

OOOooooo... how am I supposed to know how big a 1 tonne lorry is. 1 tonne really sounded huge already. Luckily they came with a 3 tonne lorry, just in case. So of we go. Bye-bye to my Damai place. I have lots of memories there. I'll probably come for a visit once in a while until I found a good masseuse at my new place :)

Whirlwind

I have no idea where to start blogging. This past few weeks have been like a whirlwind of one event after another. *scratch head*

Isk.. isk.. isk... still dono where to start lah. Ummm...

Good News v.s. Bad News

Good news: I break the board! I'm the first trainer to break the board!

We have a breaking board session in one of our training today and there was a special trainer's session afterwards. All our male trainers can't break the board. It was really a surprise after watching petite, very feminine participants breaking the board without breaking a single sweat. So size does not matter. It's whats in our mind that counts. One of us jokingly said all trainers can't go back because we can't break the board. Even jokes like that can feed negative input into our mind.

I may not be affected by that thought so much because of two reasons:-

1) Give any task to me and I'll think I can do it until I've done it and really know I can't at that moment. Even then, it will be due to some skills or knowledge that I have not acquired yet.

2) If people say I can't do it, I will prove to them that I can.

I have the video to prove it but I don't want to put it up because I can't clip other trainer's part in it. I don't want someone who knew them watch it and lead them to my blog. Habis lah like that. So no video for now until I figure out how to clip mp4 files.

Another female trainer managed to break the board and later, a male trainer joined us because he has his own session earlier and he did not hear the joke, he managed to break the board and save the male trainer's pride a little bit hehehe...

Bad news: I believe in the system. We have done all we can to fulfill the system's requirement. But the system failed us. I'm very disappointed. They did not even take the feelings of the people's involve into consideration. They must have not or the result will not be such a disappointment. We will get through this somehow. There must be other ways. There's always ways to beat the system or go around it. And they wonder why people don't want to go through the right channel.